The Bridegroom Offering a Crown to the Bride, from a "Canticum Canticorum" block book, second edition

Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish

ca. 1460–65

Not on view

The Canticum Canticorum (Song of Songs) was produced in a Netherlandish block-book workshop beginning in the first half of the 1460s. The love poem traditionally believed to have been composed by Solomon was interpreted allegorically by Christians as a prefiguration of Christ's love for his bride, the Church, and, by extension, for the Virgin. The block book consists of sixteen pages with two scenes on each, in two registers, like the Apocalypse. This woodcut, from a later edition with new blocks that closely followed the originals, if somewhat crudely, is the last of the thirty-two. In the upper left the bride sits upon Lebanon; she reappears in the center with two attendants. Her banderole reads: 'His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. . . . This is my beloved' (Song of Solomon 5:15, 16). Christ, as the bridegroom, replies: 'Come . . . from Lebanon, my spouse . . . you will be crowned' (Song of Solomon 4:8). The last phrase is an addition alluding to the Coronation of the Virgin.

Artwork Details

Title: The Bridegroom Offering a Crown to the Bride, from a "Canticum Canticorum" block book, second edition
Series/Portfolio: Canticum Canticorum
Artist: Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
Date: ca. 1460–65
Medium: Woodcut printed in brown
Dimensions: Sheet: 5 3/8 in. × 7 in. (13.7 × 17.8 cm)
Block: 5 in. × 6 13/16 in. (12.7 × 17.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Bequest of James Clark McGuire, 1930
Object Number: 31.54.187
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

The Bridegroom Showing the Bride His Land, from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 1st edition, Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish, Woodcut with touches of red gouache; verso with letterpress text with touches of red gouache — The Bridegroom Showing the Bride His Land, from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 1st edition
Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
ca. 1460/1465

Come My Beloved, Let Us Go Forth Into the Field, illustration from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 2nd edition, Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish, Woodcut printed in brown — Come My Beloved, Let Us Go Forth Into the Field, illustration from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 2nd edition
Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
ca. 1465

Song of Praise in Heaven over the Fall of the Whore of Babylon; The Wedding of the Lamb from an Apocalypse block book, 2nd edition, Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish, Woodcut, with hand coloring, in red, orange, green, gray, and yellow — Song of Praise in Heaven over the Fall of the Whore of Babylon; The Wedding of the Lamb from an Apocalypse block book, 2nd edition
Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
1440–1450

Thy Neck Is Like the Tower of David, illustration from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 2nd, Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish, Woodcut printed in brown — Thy Neck Is Like the Tower of David, illustration from a Canticum Canticorum blockbook, 2nd
Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
ca. 1460/1465

The Annihilation of the Beast; The Capture and Incarceration of the Beast from an Apocalypse blockbook, 2nd edition, Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century Netherlandish, Woodcut with hand coloring — The Annihilation of the Beast; The Capture and Incarceration of the Beast from an Apocalypse blockbook, 2nd edition
Anonymous, Netherlandish, 15th century
1440–1450

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.